Calm Before the Storm [Isabella]

[Isaac Thorburn]

Isaac listened fully as Isabella spoke, nodding at what she said. She was right, many people lived in poverty and barely made ends meet, and some, Isaac included, lived rather nicely. Although Isaac tried to make some people’s lives better, all he could do was little things, not change anything. He sighed; the best way for him to fix things was to help defeat the pirates. Once that was gone, maybe they could start changing things at home, and get the world back in order. Isaac glanced at Isabella and spoke softly, ”I know what you mean. The world may seem fair and beautiful, but once you take a closer look you see the faults. Greedy men live fat and corrupt lives, while honest working people barely survive. The world right now is a mess, and all we can do is help as much as we can, begin to fix the world and its problems.”

Isaac glanced up at the palace, taking in his and Isabella’s words. It was true, the royal family lived luxurious lives, yet they had to run a country. But lately, was the country being led? The king had been quiet for months now, letting the world suffer the pirate attacks, famine, and disease. Little was being done, and despite Isaac’s devotion to Methon, it made even him a little angry. But he knew such thoughts would get them nowhere. He turned back towards Isabella and smiled faintly. ”Let’s go.”

They walked the rest of the way back to Isaac’s house, keeping the pace slow. Isaac kept close to Isabella; he noticed her fright and anxiety at the lightning. As soon as they arrived at the house and they came back inside it began raining heavily as the sky darkened. A bolt of lightning lit up the sky; it would be a dreadful storm that night. Isaac stepped into the study and noticed that Henry was gone. Isaac could only hope that he would get back quickly and out of the storm. Grabbing a few logs Isaac started a fire and immediately the room began to warm up. He glanced up at Isabella, ”Would you like something to drink?”

[Isabella Cole]

Isabella listened to Isaac's words, another gentle sigh escaping her lips. It was so very true, what he had said as well. It was a problem that the whole world had, she had seen. She had been to other nations around Methon as well, and it seemed the same thing was happening everywhere.

Her gaze went back to the castle, thinking about this so called king as well. He let the country fall to such a state, perhaps it deserved to be run over by the people of Zanan. Things didn't last forever, of course.

She looked at him as he spoke again, to get them to go and noddde, beginning to walk with him. She noticed they were going slowly, but that was fine with her. She was more comfortable with that as well... and she was thankful that Isaac seemed to be keeping very close to her. His presence was a comfort to her.

As soon as they got inside, it began raining and she smiled slightly, glad they had made it home before it started raining. She winced again at the crack of lightning, instinctively scooting closer to Isaac again. Yes, it would be a bad storm. She moved over to the fire as it began warming up, standing next to it to warm hersel fup. She looked at him as he offered a drink and nodded her head. "That would be great, Isaac."

[Isaac Thorburn]

Isaac nodded and moved towards the kitchen. Within minutes he had two glasses of fresh tea. He walked back into the study and gave one of them to Isabella before returning to his desk. He took a sip of his drink and leaned back. Another crack of thunder could be heard as the room was briefly illuminated by the lightning. It would be a long night.

Isaac glanced at his desk and then began staring into the fire, deep in thought. On his desk was another report on pirate attacks, even with the storm they were besieging the island. Isaac nearly threw down his glass of tea at that moment in frustration but collected himself. They would not be able to solve the problem with needless anger, only action at this point could solve things. He decided at that moment that he would get a meeting with the other captains, his commanders, maybe even go to the king himself. This needed to stop. Thousands were suffering, and little was being done.

Isaac glanced up at Isabella, snapping out of his trance. What this woman had gone through was like many others, all losing their peaceful lives to ruthless attacks and raids. Why were such innocents killed and injured? He sighed, standing up and walking over to the fire next to Isabella. ”It looks like it’s going to be a long night. So tell me Isabella, what land were you from? I’ve been to many places in my journeys on the sea, and the status of other lands interests me, especially if they share the same faith as us.”

[Isabella Cole]

Isabella watched as Isaac went into the kitchen and returned moments later with tea, a smile on her face as she accepted the cup from him. She took a drink and sighed slightly, watching Isaac as he moved to sit back down at his desk. She chose a chair this time, sitting down while still holding her tea. At the crack of thunder, she jumped again, nearly spilling the tea. She calmed down quickly, cursing the storm in her mind.

She watched Isaac as he looked at the fire, studying the man silently as she sat there. He was a very respectable man indeed, she had always been told that the people of Methon were fools and deserved to be plundered, but now she wondered if this were so. They were just trying to make a living as well. Her gaze went down to her cup as guilt swept across her. Perhaps she could make a new life here, she didn't really have anything there.. the only thing she had left of her father was the dagger she had on her. Perhaps she could go back and gather her few belongings and come back here. It was very tempting...

She heard Isaac speak and looked up at him, listening to him. Questions about her background.. oh no. Where she was from.. "Oh, I'm from Methon here... we just lived on a small farm on the coast. I've never been anywhere, else." Liar.. "But I sure would love to travel.. how many places have you been to, Isaac?" She hoped that would get him talking about himself.. and she was honestly curious as well.

[Isaac Thorburn]

Isaac nodded as he heard Isabella explain her background. Methon, that would explain a good deal. Farms, especially on the coast, were prone to being raided, and indeed would be some of the most likely places for a pirate attack. Isaac glanced at Isabella when she asked about Isaac’s travels. He sat down and took another drink of his tea before speaking.

”I’ve been almost everywhere you could say. I’ve visited Alhadan, the largest island that we trade with. It was nice, but I prefer Methon. I visited Epihal on one journey, although it gave little excitement I suppose. Many of the people there are farmers and herders, and tend to stay away from travelers. Ohoran was an interesting one. I spend a few months on that island, on vacation you could say. It’s a beautiful place, plenty of sunshine and entertainment. It was a grand time on the island, but storms were the worst. The island is rather small, and large waves become a problem at times.”

Isaac glanced at the map and pointed with his hand, signaling the smaller islands around Methon. ”I’ve visited a good deal of those smaller islands as well, either when chasing pirates or gathering supplies. Not much, but you can find something interesting ever so often.” Isaac glanced back at Isabella and leaned forward. ”I even came into view of Zanan once. I wasn’t able to get on land as you can imagine however. I would like to one of these days, and then I really could say I’ve been everywhere. Then after that all that’s left is beyond the maps, out into the wide sea.”

Isaac glanced out the window at the torrent of rain. He took another sip of his tea and then set the cup down onto the table, leaning back in his chair. ”How about you. What was your life like?

[Isabella Cole]

Isabella took another sip of her tea as Isaac began speaking about the islands he had visited. In all honesty, Isabella had been to many of the islands.. of course, not the same way he was... of course not, but she had seen them as well. And stole from them.

She did admit, out of all the islands to attack, Methon was definitely the most interesting, as Isaac had agreed. But she did like Ohoran as well.

Glancing at the map when Isaac spoke of it, she looked at some of the smaller islands and nodded. She had been to a few of those as well, but for the most part they had avoided them. There really wasn't much interesting stuff to steal on many of them. She watched as Isaac leaned forward and spoke of Zanan, her home. He said he had seen it, but hadn't been able to land. She figured that was probably for the best, someone like him would stick out like a sore thumb. But of course, she wouldnt say anything like that.

"I would love to travel like you do, Isaac. I bet life is very exciting." She did love excitement, it was part of her being as well. When he asked about her life, she fidgeted slightly, looking down at her cup. "It was simple, very simple..." She paused, and decided to try another tactic. "I don't really want to talk about it, if that's ok..? It's really hard.."

[Isaac Thorburn]

Isaac smiled and nodded when Isabella commented about the excitement. He chuckled slightly before speaking, ”The excitement is there. Although when you’re looking down the barrel of a pirate cannon excitement is the last thing on your mind. But it is a good life, and I would not want any other.” Isaac’s smile faded when Isabella replied to his question, and immediately began wondering whether he had gone too far, but the damage was already done. He nodded, smiling slightly as he spoke, ”I understand. I’m sorry for bringing it up.”

Isaac glanced at the map again and sighed. After a brief moment he turned back towards Isabella. ”In the morning I will search and attempt to make arrangements for a place for you to stay at. I’m afraid I will be leaving soon, back out into sea. The pirate attacks have increased significantly, and I’m being called back to action. I would allow you to stay here with Henry, but I fear in my absence he may take… rash actions.” Isaac smiled, hoping his words didn’t sound harsh. But it was the truth, and he feared that Henry would simple evict Isabella when he was out to sea. Or worse, get the city guard to arrest her, neither of which Isaac would want or permit.

Note: Short....

[Isabella Cole]

Isabella nodded slightly when he spoke about the excitement, knowing that what he said was true as well. She hated guns herself, prefering to fight with daggers of course.. but she knew that guns were definitely the more effective way of killing someone.

She shrugged slightly when he apologized for bringing the subject up again, but she would not say anything for fear of unmasking herself.

She watched as he looked at the map and back at her again, listening to him as he spoke. He was going back out to sea. She had guessed that, with the paperwork on his desk and all. She figured that meant he had an assignment again. She nodded her head slowly, knowing that this was for the best. This actually gave her a chance to get away then, maybe. So long as her raft was still there, she could get back to Zanan. All the thoughts before had been simply foolish... However, she really wondered what kind of place that he would find her here. Perhaps she could.. no, she had to go home. The ideas continued to war inside her mind.

She frowned however when he spoke of Henry and his 'rash actions', tilting her head to the side before she spoke. "He would do something against your wishes, while you were away?" That was confusing to her, as she would never have done something like that to someone who allowed her residence. She took another sip of her tea, waiting for his answer, or an explanation.

[Isaac Thorburn]

Isaac listened as Isabella expressed her confusion at why Henry would throw her out if Isaac left. He sighed, and then began explaining. ”Henry was raised as the son of a noble, like me. However he was raised with different morals. I myself view the world passively, and reserve judgment until I know enough to judge. However Henry has been taught that the “lower class” of citizens isn’t worth even mentioning. He would take one look at you and in disgust throw you out into the streets, where he would say you belong. I do not in any way agree with this, not even for a moment. But he is a special type of people.”

Isaac sighed again and stared into the fire. He was lost in thought when the front door suddenly slammed shut. Isaac jumped out of his seat and turned around, but relaxed as soon as he saw it was Henry. Henry was wearing a long overcoat and dripping wet. In his hand he clutched several papers, some of them slightly dripping. Isaac began walking forward, ”My god man, what were you doing out there? Do you know how dangerous it is…” Isaac was suddenly cut off when Henry quickly strode forward towards Isabella. He stopped in front of her, his voice loud and demanding, ”Who was your family? Speak! What is your family name?” Isaac stopped, stunned, glancing from Isabella to Henry.

[Isabella Cole]

Isabella listened to Isaac in a rather stunned silence, the shock evident on her face. It was strange to her that someone wouldnt base their opinion on someone by the value of their character, but rather if they were born from certain people or not. That was rather frustrating to her, and she decided to voice her opinion. "That's rediculous. That's probably part of the reason the world is so screwed up. Us lower class people want to prove ourselves.." She shrugged slightly and looked at Isaac, not sure what else to say. It was very annoying, she thought people should definitely be judged on their character instead of what blood runs through their veins.

She continued thinking about it, getting angrier by the second. However, when the door slammed shut, she gasped and looked over that way. Henry. She narrowed her eyes slightly. She wondered what was up, he looked.. strange. And he had papers in his hand. Oh no.. this could be bad.

When he stepped up to her and stopped in front of her, yelling at her to tell her last name, she clenched her fists, opening her mouth to shout right back. "Why does it matter? Yelling at me will not make me cooperative, you know!" She knew this probably wasn't the best way to handle it, but she was already angry at him from the description that Isaac had given, she sure didn't want to play nice right now.

[Isaac Thorburn]

Isaac glanced from Isabella to Henry, not sure what exactly to do. He listened as Isabella replied, demanding why he was acting this way. Isaac glanced over at Henry, his voice still shocked and unsure, ”What is this man? What are you doing?” Henry glanced over towards Isaac, his voice still loud and demanding, ”You told me tonight that this woman was a refugee from one of the coastal farms. I just recently went over to the commander of the town watch. He gave me these papers, the names of reports on the recent pirate attacks. I never trusted this one, and I know she is lying. She is not from one of these families.”

Isaac glanced back at Isabella and then returned his stare at Henry. ”How can you say that? What has she done that would make you think this way?” Henry waved Isaac away, ”It’s for your own good my friend.” He glared back at Isabella, his voice quieter but still with a sense of authority in it, ”What farm were you from? And if you don’t cooperate, I’ll have the town guard arrest you.” Isaac walked up to Henry and grabbed the papers from his hand. He began to read them, and indeed they were overview reports on recent attacks, with information including the names of the families on them. He glanced back up at Isabella, knowing that she would answer truthfully, and the whole matter could come to rest. Although with a side glance at Henry, his behavior was quite unacceptable.